True Blood star Ryan Kwanten could have his pick of projects since his career skyrocketed.
But it was an independent Aussie film by a first-time director that he was begging to be a part of.
Kwanten stars in the title role in Griff The Invisible, which director Leon Ford believes might be Australia's first superhero film and definitely our first superhero romantic comedy.
Griff is a meek office worker by day, but at night he turns into a crime-fighting superhero.
It lured Kwanten back to Australia from the US during a brief break before filming the hit vampire TV series True Blood.
"This film was something that went straight to my core," Kwanten told AAP in Sydney.
"It's the kind of story that you read and, even if I hadn't got the role, it would have stuck with me.
"I put myself on tape in the States, and at the end of my audition I really just wanted to say 'f*** guys, believe me I can do this. I am right for this'."
Beautiful Kate star Maeve Dermody plays his love interest - a beautiful young scientist.
Dermody was just as moved by the story, which was also written by Ford, and particularly by her character.
"I just adore her, and in the same way I just read it and went, 'I completely need to be near this and be inside it,'" she said.
"I don't think I'll ever let it go now, really. I refuse to.
"I want to own her in a way I've never wanted to own any other character."
The film was shot over the past month in inner Sydney - eschewing landmarks like the Harbour Bridge and Opera House for locations that would give it a comic book/manga look.
The cast and crew spent many days and nights filming in Surry Hills alleyways, Hyde Park in the CBD, the main hall at Central Station and around Pyrmont.
The film is not due for release until mid to late 2010 but Kwanten will be on a plane on Wednesday to fly back to the US to begin shooting series three of True Blood on Thursday.
The former Home and Away actor said he had loved working on an Aussie project again.
"This was such an incredible story to be able to be a part of, and it was a total labour of love for everyone," he said.
"I hate using that cliche that you become family but it really felt like that.
"It was really something special, and I hadn't seen that in a while, because in the States they tend to, rather than solve things creatively, sometimes just throw a little too much money at it."
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